AI Can Cost Retailers More Than the Job It Replaces
Specialty retail and supply chain leaders are being told that Agentic AI adoption is a straightforward cost-saving decision. But the financial case for AI can be harder to establish than the technology itself, especially for independent retailers running lean teams and tight margins.
Inventory Issues Deter Consumers From In-Person Shopping
According to new research from gStore, retail inventory issues continue to disrupt shopping trips even after last year’s tariff turmoil. The June survey of 1,035 U.S. adults who have visited a fashion, general merchandise or specialty store in the last 90 days reveals just how far consumers will go to avoid unpleasant interactions.
Small Businesses Embrace the Role of Creator in 2026
In a new Small Business Now report, Constant Contact discovered that to stay visible while managing the daily hustle of running a business, small businesses are fundamentally rewriting their job descriptions to embrace the role of “creator” — and leaning on AI to get it all done.
Google Rolls Out New Platform Properties
In early July, Google announced new platform properties for Search Console, allowing anyone to track how their social and video posts on Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube perform on Google Search, Discover and Google News. These new capabilities are now available to everyone globally.
What Your POS System Is Trying to Tell You
A POS system should not just record what happened yesterday. It should help you decide what to do tomorrow. This article talks about all the different ways POS systems can help boost business and marketing goals.
The Myth of Going Viral in Local Retail
In today’s social media-driven business environment, many independent retailers have become fascinated with the idea of “going viral.” For most independent retailers, the obsession with viral marketing often distracts from what truly builds sustainable retail success: consistent visibility, ongoing customer engagement and long-term community trust.
Consistency Beats Creativity in Retail Marketing
In marketing meetings—whether in large corporations or independent retail stores—there is often a recurring pressure to “come up with something new.” New slogans. New promotions. New graphics. New campaigns. Creativity certainly has value, but in retail marketing, consistency usually matters far more than creativity.
Small Businesses Plan to Increase Marketing Budgets in 2026
A new Constant Contact report found that small business owners are meeting economic headwinds with aggression rather than retraction. While inflation and rising costs remain the top business concern for 41% of owners, the vast majority are planning to invest significantly more resources into their marketing efforts to secure growth.
Black Friday Weekend Draws a Record 203M Shoppers
A record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the five-day holiday weekend from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. The figure is up from 197 million shoppers last year and surpasses the previous record of 200.4 million set in 2023.
Half of Small Businesses’ Annual Sales Take Place During Holidays
Constant Contact's new Small Business Holiday Outlook found that while optimism remains high, businesses are strategically adapting to economic pressures and evolving consumer behaviors to maximize holiday sales.
Valuespending: Retail’s New Competitive Advantage
There’s a seismic shift happening at the checkout—and it’s not about payment methods or point-of-sale screens. It’s about intent. Welcome to the age of Valuespending.
Small Business Optimism on the Rise
The National Federation of Independent Business published its July report, which found that small businesses are experiencing better business conditions, leading to a rise in overall optimism.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Signed Into Law
On July 4th, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump. Often referred to as the "Big Beautiful Bill," this budget reconciliation law represents a significant legislative package that enacts various tax and spending policies, forming a core part of the current administration's agenda.
Gen Alpha Data Unveils Future Influence and Purchasing Behaviors
Collage has released research unlocking what drives Gen Alpha – their values, behaviors and digital fluency. In this article, we break down the report, titled New Gen Alpha Trends: Tap Into Drivers for Media, Entertainment, & Personal Care, which highlights the driving forces behind this generation's purchasing behavior.
April Small Business Sales Improved from March
Fiserv, Inc. published its Fiserv Small Business Index for April 2025, which shows that consumers are making notable shifts in purchasing behavior – spending more on the essentials, trimming back discretionary purchases and spending less when they choose to dine out.
NRF Forecasts 2025 Retail Sales to Hit $5.42 Trillion
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that retail sales during 2025 will grow between 2.7% and 3.7% over 2024 to between $5.42 trillion and $5.48 trillion.
New Report Reveals AI is Reshaping the Hiring Process
Artificial intelligence (AI) integration into the workplace is progressing rapidly, with HR professionals and employees adopting AI tools to help with various tasks. To better understand how the workforce interacts with AI, hiring platform HireVue surveyed over 4,000 HR leaders and employees in their latest report, which found that AI adoption surged in 2025.
Companies Scaling Back DEI Commitments in 2025
A new survey conducted by Resume.Org found that 1 in 8 companies are reducing or eliminating DEI efforts this year, with many citing shifts in the political climate as a key factor.
eTail Palm Springs 2025
eTail Palm Springs is coming back to the the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Springs, California from February 24-27. With a focus on e-commerce and digital marketing, this retail event will feature a variety of speakers and educational sessions discussing the latest trends in e-commerce.
Retail Returns Expected to Total $890 Billion
Returns continue to pose a significant cost for the retail industry, with total returns projected to reach $890 billion in 2024. Retailers estimate that 17% of their annual sales in 2024 will be returned.
